Apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware



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APPARATUS FoR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE Filed June 1:5. 1942 17 sheets-sheet 1'7 l INVENToR. WILL/14M' 1J. IMU-LER4 Patented Mar. 7, 1950 APPARATUS MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE William J. Miller, Swssvale,

Miller Pottery Engineering Company,

Pa., assigner to SWiSS-r vale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 13, 1942, Serial No. 446,868 9 Claims. (Cl. 25-22) This invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware. The present application discloses subject matter also disclosed in my co-pending applications, Serial Nos. 205,711 and 421,299, now Patents 2,379,737 and 2,374,553, respectively.

In my United States Patents Nos. 2,046,525 and 2,109,028 respectively, I have disclosed how pottery ware of the class known as jiggered dinnerware may be made automatically and in large quantities by means of a production line system wherein the molds on or in which the ware is produced are circulated in endless lines along a path wherein clay is fed thereto, formed thereon, dried and then removed therefrom for such other processing as may be required.

The present invention has to do with several novel improvements in apparatus for manufac turing pottery ware in accordance with the foregoing system and, in this connection, the objects are to minimize production interruptions and increase the capacity to economically produce merchantable ware by improving the mechanical eflciency of the machinery generally and introducing new or improved apparatus for feeding, forming and drying the production together with provisions for safeguarding the machinery from damage due to causes normally beyond the control of the operator.

Other objects and advantageous features will be noted in the accompanying drawings and written description wherein like reference characters designate like parts and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of the entire system including the fabricating machine and the dryer, with side wall portions of the dryer removed to disclose the conveyor means.

Fig. 2 is va View in plan of the entire system of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the section line 3--3 of Fig. 1, showing the entire fabricating machine in plan, with certain parts broken away to disclose other parts, the machine being turned at right angles to the position it occupies on Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the fabricating machine, as taken substantially on the section line 4 4 of Fig. 3, with the central portion of the machine being broken awayto reduce the size of the figure.

Figs. 5 and 5a together show an enlarged side elevation of the fabricating machine as seen in Fig. 1, or as viewed from the arrow 5-5a of Fig. 3, with certain housing panels removed to disclose parts otherwise hidden. p

Figs. 6 and 6a. together show an enlarged elevation of the 'opposite side of the machine as viewed from the arrow 6-6a of Fig. 3.

Figs. 7 and 7a. combined show a longitudinal section of the machine as taken substantially on the section lineal-1a of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7b is an enlarged sectional detail of the kick-off valve shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7c is a front elevation of one of the feeders of Fig. 7.

Fig. 7d is an enlarged section taken on the section line Td-Td of Fig. 7c.

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the machine taken at the jiggering station, as viewed from the section line 88 of Fig. 7, with portions of the machine omitted to reducethe size of the figure.

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken substantially on the section line 9-9 of Fig. 8, showing one of the tray locks.

Fig. 1.0E is a detail section taken substantially on the section line i-l 0 of Fig. 4, with parts broken'.

away.

Fig. 11 is a detail plan section taken on the section line II--II of Fig. 10, with parts broken away to reduce t-he size oi the ligure.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail plan section taken on the section line l2-I2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12a. is an enlarged detail of a modified form of releasable connection for parts seen in Fig. 12.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail of a modified form of construction for apparatus seen in Fig. 12.

Fig. 13a is an 'enlarged detail of certain parts seen in Fig. 10 and showing a modiiied form oi detail construction.

Fig. 14 is a detail section taken on the section line Ill-I4 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 15 is a detail plan section takenk on the section line l5-I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail section taken on the section line l6-l6`of Fig. 4.

Fig. 17 is a detail plan section taken on the section line I1-I1 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail section taken on the section line IB-IB of Fig. 4, showing certain control valve means in connection with operating means therefor. l

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the parts seen in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail section taken onL the section line 2li-2li. of Fig. 18, with certain parts in changed position.

Fig. 20a. is an enlarged detail section taken on the section line 20a-20a of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail plan section taken substantially on the section line 21A-2| of Fig. 18, showing one of the control valves.

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail section taken on the section line 22--22 of Fig. 4, showing certain bleeder valve means in connection with operating means therefor.

' Fig. 23 is a side elevation of the parts seen in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is an enlarged detail plan section taken on the section line 24-24 of Fig. 4, showing the jigger chuck rotating means with parts broken away tc reduce the size of the gure.

Fig. 24a. is a diagrammatic illustration of a modified form. of means for rotating the jigger chucks.

Fig. 25 is a more complete detail of the central lower portion of Fig. 4, including the j'iggering cross head counterpoise means not seen in said Fig. 4.

Fig. 26 is a section taken on the section line 26-2E of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a plan view of the parts seen in Fig. 25.

Fig. 28 is an enlarged detail section of .anotherv form of the vacuum control valve f-or the crosshead seen in Fig. 26.

Fig. 29' is a piping diagram illustrating the pneumatic and hydraulic systems for operating the various devi-ces of the apparatus.

Fig. 29a is a diagrammatic detail of a modied form: of gas control apparatus for the system of Fig. 29.

Fig. 30 is an enlarged sectional view of one Vof the fluid pressure operated four-way control valves seen in Fig. 29.

Fig. 3l is an enlarged sectional view of the type of fluid pressure operated three-way control valve seen in Fig. 29.

Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic View ofv the various electrically operated or controlled instrumentalities of' the system and illustratingV one form or arrangement of an electric circuit therefor.

Fig. 33 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on the section line 334-33 of Fig. 4, showing the automatically varying torque clutching connection.

Fig. 34 is an enlarged detail of the press head seen in Fig. 7, but showing the die in section.

Fig. 35 is a plan section taken on the line 35-35 of Fig. 34.

Fig. 36 is a diagrammatic illustration of one form of air circulation and conditioning system for the dryer.

Generally, as seen in Figs. l and 2, the fabricating machine I is preferablyy disposed in a pit 2 below the floor line 3 of a pottery plant, and spaced below the conveyor receiving end extension 4 of the dryer 5. By this arrangement, the entire system requires lessffloorspace than otherwise in comparison toits output capacity, while at the same time rendering the fabricating machine accessible forservicing and for floor level trucking of filter press'cakes to the pug mill.

The mold conveyor comprises a pair of spaced parallel sprocket chains B which are kguided lthrough the fabricating machine between upper and lower track portions 1a*1b of horizontal rails l mounted' on the inner sides of' longitudinal side frame members 8 of the machine frame 9 to prevent bucklingof the chains. Pivotally suspended between the chains are trays Ill with open-bottomed mold stands or seats II for supporting the molds I2 (Figs. 3 and 4) While the molds of each tray may be adapted for the production of similar pottery table ware, those shown are adapted to produce diversied hollow ware and' flat ware and formwith molds on the other trays a plurality of parallel lines of production', each line preferably producing ware ofsirnilar type and weight but not necessarily/having thesame molding surface contour or design.

Referring to Figs. 5--5a and 7-7a, the conveyor is moved intermittently through the fabricating machine to intermittently' advanceI the molds on the trays to a clay charge feedingv station A where claycha-rges are-fed to the'molds, then to a preformingorpress station Bwherethe charges are. spread over and secured to the molding surface of the molds intol partially formed ware shapes, and then to a jigger station C where the partially formed ware is jiggered to final shape. Upon leaving the jigger station C, the chains of the conveyor pass over intermittently rotated drive sprockets I4 which intermittently advance same through the machine, said sprockets being secured on a shaft I5 driven intermittently by a constantly rotating main drive shaft IG through a Geneva motion connection |1, as seen in Figs. 5, l0 and l1.

The Geneva motion I 1 includes a Geneva crank and lock cam |1a secured on the drive shaft it and which, during each revolution of said shaft, rotates a ive pointed Geneva star wheel I'1'b onefth of a revolution which, in turn, rotates the conveyor drive shaft I5 one-fourth of a revolution through gearing |1c. Said gearing includes a gear I 1d on the shaft I5 which is keyed( thereto through a releasable connection G adapted torelease the gear from the shaft in the event an abnormal torque is required to advance the conveyor through they machine, such as. may be caused by the conveyor chains becoming. jam-med in the machine. For this purpose (see Figs. 1G, ll and l2) secured/on. the shaft. |5 is.` an arm |1'e upon which are opposed adjusting: screws |1f threaded in laterali lfugs: |i1g of thel` arm and between which is conned' the free endrof a lever |111. pivoted to the-'arm and-1 having abearing Iz' at its free end supporting a spring pressedV detent or plunger |17' havingy a tapered' end lilla. received within a tapered recess or bearing |11 in they gear |1d, whereby the detent will be depressed and released from the gear under an abnormal torque value imparted thereto. The detent'y may be spring pressed by a coiled spring Iflm. disposed in the bearing IS'IiV and backed up by'an end. plug |111 threaded inv the bearing toV adjust compression of the spring to regulate torque value at which the detent'will' be released.

Another form of releasableI connection. is seen in Fig; 12a wherein a shearing pin |10 is substituted' for the detent, being fixed' in a bearing |"Ip of the arm: |171v and extending within a bearing |1q of the gear |111', tc serve as a key connecting the gear and shaft I5 capable ofV breaking under abnormal resistance imposed on the. shaf To determine the abnormal: resistance under'which the pin will break, it may be.v provided with a peripheral groove |1517 of the proper' depth to weaken the pin accordingly. By adjusting the screws |1f, the: angular positionof the levez.` |1h on the arm Ilfe may be variedy in varying the angular position ofthe gearV Hd oni the shaft to properly locate the traysk at the: various stations of the machine.l The lever If1'h maybe locked in position on the arm Ir1'e. byA means of bolts |1s passing through arcuate slots in' the arm.

In the-event the gearV If-1d is disconnectedfrom the shaft |52, upon rel'e'aseof!tli'edetent, operation of the drive shaft I6 will be instantly stopped by safety means later described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, as`r theconveyor moves from the drive-sprockets I'4, its chains are guided under arcuatev end1 portions 1c of the track portions 1a. to pass under" vertically floating idler sprockets I8, from which* the conveyormoves at a constant speed in an upward'fcourse into the dryer. The sprockets L8 serve to alternately take up` and dissipate slackl inthe* chains incident to transl-- tionfrom intermittent to constant travel thereof. The idler sprockets IB are" mountedI on a 4eficiencia shaft I9 mounted at its ends in bearings inthe free ends of levers pivoted to the machine frame.

The conveyor enters the dryer through an entrance opening in the bottom of the dryer extension 4, and then moves toward the other end of the dryer in an undulatory path about upper and lower supporting sprockets 25 and 21 (Fig. 1)

As the trays of molds are progressed through the dryer, they are brought successively to a first :stripping bay D, a second stripping bay E land a f. final stripping station F, so that certain types of ware to be appendaged, thus requiring various predetermined maximum percentage of moisture content, may be stripped from the molds, at said transfer the ware from the molds to said con veyors without turning around, thereby reducing stripping labor cost. Along these conveyors, finishing operations may be performed in straight line production methods. These conveyors 29 may be in driven connection with the lmold conveyor through reduction gearing 29a so as to trav-v el at a slower rate than the latter conveyor to permit attendants to place the ware pieces thereon in stacks as they are taken from the mold conveyor.

The'conveyor chains then continue back to the other end of the dryer over idler sprockets .3B-3 l,

then downwardly through an exit opening 32 in the bottom wall of the dryer extension 4, and thence through a mold cleaning zone I back through the fabricating machine for 'another cycle of operation.

As the conveyor approaches the fabricating machine, its chains are directed back to the rails 1 thereof by passing under two sets of idler i sprockets 35 and 36, then over a set of driving sprockets 31 which pull the conveyor constantly through (Figs. 5a and 6) the dryer. Between the drive sprockets 31 and `the downwardly curved ends 38 of the rails, which guide the chains thereon, the chain portions in the catenary are kept taut and spread to allow clearance between adjacent trays, by idler wheelsl 39 on a vertically 'floating shaft 40 supported in bearings at the free ends of 'levers 4l pivoted to the machine frame. Thus, the idlers39 will take up and pay outthe -slack and maintain a catenary in the chain as the drive sprockets continuously move one portionr thereof while the other portion on the rails is being halted and intermittently advanced.

The drive sprockets' 31 are mounted upon a driven shaft 45 in driven connection lwith the 'main power shaft i6 `through sprocket wheels 45 and 41 on said shafts, respectively, and a l sprocket chain 48 connecting same (Figs. 6-6o).

Certain of the upper sets of sprockets 26 supporting the conveyor in the dryer are in driven connection with the sprocket shaft 45 by means of sprockets50 on their shafts 5I being connected y with a sprocket 52 on the shaft 45 through synchronizing sprocket chains 53 (Figs. 1 and 3). Thus, the conveyor chain need take only the vertical load or weight of the trays plus drag between'the'intermediate sprockets 50. l I

The upper active and lower return stretches the chain 48 are resiliently held bent toward each other by a pair of idler sprockets49 on the arms of a be1l-crank lever 49a piv'oted to the machine frame at 43h and tensioned by a piston and cylinder tensioning device 49e through a link 49d to resiliently hold said stretches tensioned during normal operation of the machine. This pro- 'vides a resilient connection between the main drive shaft I5 'and the shaft 45 capable of yielding when the very. long and heavy conveyor in the dryer is started to thereby reduce inertia peak load. synchronizing chains 53 also prevent free running of the sprockets 50 in case the :conveyor chain breaks, which would otherwise ravel oir the sprockets and pile up on the bottom of the dryer.

Fluid under resilient pressure controlled by reducing valve 491' (Fig 29) is supplied from a reservoir 49e to the cylinder of the device 49C at its piston rod end to act as a constant Value spring, the fluid surging back and forth through conduit 49g as the chain 46 is tensioned and rel leased. By lling the cylinder of the device, then closing valve 491', the piston thrust value may be progressively increased as the chain tension is increased.

The lsprocket 46 is secured to the shaft 45 through a releasable connection l-I (Figs. 6 and 32), which will release under abnormal torque and simultaneously disengage shaft 45 from its source of power, substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 10 and 12.

As the trays enter the machine, each mold thereon is cleaned of any foreign matter, such clay dust, and conditioned by a blast or ift of humid or dry air or water under pressure directed thereon by one of the nozzles 55 of an air pressure manifold 56 supplied by a blower or pump 51 driven by an electric motor 58 (Figs. 5a and 6).

When the trays are halted at the station A, the molds thereon are positioned over a line of elevatable chucks 60 which lift them from the mold seats into operative adjacency with the clay charge feeding apparatus, the seats being slightly larger in diameter than the chucks to permit same to move therethrough.

The mold chucks are mounted on a crosshead 6l mounted for vertical reciprocation upon suitable guides 62 which also serve as supporting uprights for frame members 8. The chucks are raised and` lowered in timed relation with'movements of the conveyor by a pair of levers 63 connected with the crosshead and oscillated by a connection with the main shaft I6 later described (Fig. 5a).

The mold charging apparatus employed in carrying out one form of the invention is more fully disclosed and claimed in my s-aid co-pending application, Serial No. 421,299. However, said apparatus comprises a multiple of charge feeders 10 arranged respectively above the molds -when at said station.

Generally, each feeder includes a replaceable, upright measuring and charging cylinder 1I (Figs. and 7d) supported above the conveyor in co-axial alignment with a mold chuck 60, and from which a measured charge of clay is forcefully deposited onto the center of the molding surface of the molds when same are raised by the chucks. To this end, as seen in Figs. '7, 7d and 7c, each charging cylinder is detachably mounted within a lower split bearing 12 of an upright frame 13 secured to a clay conducting .manifold 14 mounted on the machine frame. Operat- 

